Rattlesnakes only warn potential prey with their namesake tail vibrations about half the time, said Russell Martin.

Martin, a wildlife biologist with the Lubbock branch of the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, said if you near the reptile’s territory, you’re not guaranteed to hear about it. Whether a snake rattles when approached depends on factors such as the time of day, its body temperature and its individual personality. Like humans, some rattlesnakes are more aggressive than others.

“I think there’s a myth about rattling. It’s not a set thing that anytime a person comes around, they’re going to rattle,” Martin said.

Rattlesnakes have made wider appearances the past few weeks. They’ll likely stay around through about October before they return to hibernation.

The snakes are most likely to be spotted in the early morning or late evening hours, and in rocky areas. They don’t pose much of a threat in cotton fields, said Mason Moreland, a wildlife technician with parks and wildlife.

“You’ll very infrequently find rattlesnakes around crops,” he said.

The species of rattler most likely to be found varies with terrain the South Plains.

Western diamondbacks — the most common — are the predominant vipers east of Lubbock off the Caprock, Martin said.

“Prairies like a little sandier soil than do western diamondbacks. We find them primarily around Post,” he said.

And that’s if you find them at all. While considered extremely uncommon inside city limits, you’re still fairly unlikely to encounter them in the wild.

“For the average hiker out in the country, it’s relatively infrequent,” Martin said. “Even when you’re looking for them, they’re hard to find.”

But if you do meet one, your best bet is to respect its territory. Walk away slowly, and try to find another path toward where you’re going.

“A good number of snake bites come from people trying to kill them,” Moreland said.

Game warden Mallory Mitchell recommends killing a snake only if it’s posing a threat. If a serpent is striking at you, for instance, killing it won’t require the license it would if you were to kill it for sport.

“If you’re worried that snake is going to hurt you, by all means you don’t need a permit to kill it,” she said. “Human safety is a primary concern.”

Rattlesnakes are considered nongame wildlife species, meaning they’re not subject to hunting seasons and bag limits. Killing restrictions are only on the timber rattlesnake, which is listed as threatened because of its dwindling population, Mitchell said.The parks and wildlife department is evaluating a rattlesnake-hunting method known as gassing, in which gasoline fumes drive the creatures away from their hiding grounds. Supporters of a proposed ban are concerned the practice kills other animals — including some on the federal endangered list — while opponents view it as an effective way to control the snake population.